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Biz Buzz, June 16, 2013

Working as a dietician for the last 20 years, Ray Jensen said he’s come to realize there’s a need for nutrition services that don’t automatically involve a product sales pitch and are available for a reasonable price to people whose insurance plans don’t cover such assistance.

Last month, he opened Jensen Nutrition Consulting, 125 N. Eighth St., Suite 5, in Grand Junction, hoping to reach everyone ranging from those struggling with obesity or other health problems to athletes wanting to get the most out of their bodies with what he calls “evidence-based nutrition principles.”

“There’s almost information overload when it comes to nutrition, and it can be overwhelming for people,” Jensen said.

A clinical dietician and certified diabetes instructor, Jensen has worked at hospitals across the Western Slope.

“My belief is that most people have the knowledge, and I can help fill any knowledge gaps, but I can also come alongside people and meet them where they are,” Jensen said.

He said he will not sell any products or supplements.

“There may be things I recommend to somebody,” he said. “You can go to other places and you may get some dietary advice, but they’ll always sell you something. I’m not totally against it, but I don’t think it’s always appropriate.”

Jensen Nutrition Consulting is open during the week by appointment. Jensen said he also will offer appointments during the evening and occasionally on Saturday. For more information, call 250-8667 or email .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

■ To Salon Professional Academy co-owner Angela Lema, the east end of North Avenue is “dead.” The west end of North Avenue, however, holds lots of potential — as in access to lots of potential customers and students.

So Lema and her 14 full-time employees will pick up and move next month from 2938 North Ave., where the academy has been located since it opened in Grand Junction in 2006, to 432 North Ave. The new location is the former home of Valley Lumber, which closed in 2010.

The academy trains students for careers in cosmetology, skin care and nail care and provides salon and spa services to the public. Lema said 68 students are enrolled in the academy.

Staff and students will move from an 8,000-square-foot building to an 11,000-square-foot one, a jump in size that will afford them a large classroom featuring up-to-date technology, according to Lema. The new location is undergoing a top-to-bottom remodel as well.

The close proximity to Colorado Mesa University and Grand Junction High School and the tens of thousands of vehicles that drive the west end of North Avenue each day “will be a huge boost for us,” Lema said.

Lema said staff plans to move everything from the old location to the new one the first week of July, with the doors scheduled to open July 8.

■ It’s only been open a year, but the Speckled Feather Mercantile in New Castle is already expanding.

The artists’ collective will move on July 3 from 303 W. Main St. in downtown to an address next door in space formerly occupied by the offices of New Hope Community Church.

Co-owner Elyse Hutchinson wrote in an email that the business, which comprises more than 15 local artists who sell apparel, housewares, locally made foods, accessories, jewelry, art and other merchandise, has expanded in many aspects since it opened a year ago. With a larger workshop area, classes will be offered in paper crafting, scrapbooking, mixed media, jewelry making and more. The Speckled Feather also will offer kid-friendly crafting classes during the summer.

The new space also offers a larger workroom where patrons are welcome to work on their projects anytime the store is open, according to Hutchinson.

The Speckled Feather is open from noon to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. It can be reached at 970-573-6378.